Giving a boost to yoga

Special-needs class helps people with limited mobility

Giggles and shrieks of laughter poured out of the Yogarosa Studio during a recent meeting of the special-needs yoga class.

Inside, women suffering from a range of ailments sought to reach new heights under the direction of Rosa Lopez Santana, who owns the Hallandale Beach studio.

"This is great," said Dana Weems, of Hollywood, who was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis 30 years ago. "What I did today, I haven't been able to do in years."

She thinks that yoga will help with endurance when she takes part in therapeutic horseback riding at Tradewinds Park.

Likewise, Karime Govea, of Hollywood, is finding yoga helpful in her everyday life.

"I love it," said Govea, who was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 2001. "Rosa makes me do things when I say, 'I can't do it.' Then I'm glad I did."

For a portion of the class, Santana uses a rope wall - or a wall with straps to aid in supporting participants as they exercise. The straps also help pull the muscles to lengthen or contract them. She said rope wall exercises increase strength, range of motion and flexibility.

"It's amazing," said Jodi Edwards, a Pilates teacher who volunteers to help Santana during the special-needs class. "The progress people make in this class carries over to their everyday lives."

Barbara DiStefano, of Davie, said she's been attending the special-needs classes for three years after being diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 1994. "She's very holistic in her teaching. I feel such goodness in the air here."

The special-needs class is designed for students with limited mobility due to multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease and other conditions.

The studio is at 110 N. Federal Highway, Suite 304.

For information, go to www.yogarosa .com or call 954-456-6077.

INFORMATIONAL BOX:

Special-needs yoga

The class is free for people suffering from multiple sclerosis. It is sponsored by the National Multiple Sclerosis Society of South Florida.